GZA

A member of the Wu Tang Clan, the Gza (pronouced "jizza") is also known as The Genius, which was his moniker when he put out his own CD in the late eighties. It was both his and the Rza's experiences with solo projects which paved the way for the Wu Tang Clan. The Wu Tang Clan have a number of members, each of whom may be signed as a solo artist to different labels, so they have a much more flexible contract than just about any other group. I consider the Gza to be the most gifted actual lyricist in the Wu Tang Clan, though he does not have the vocal stylings (nor voice) of the Method Man, nor the . . . interesting persona of ODB. Still, in as much as use of poetic devices and clever lyrical turns, the Gza rules.